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Donkey

The illegal people trafficking route from Pakistan to Europe is called a "donkey." Smugglers from individuals and organizations frequently use this route to transport individuals from Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, and Europe to the United Kingdom and many other European countries. It is known as the "donkey" route because people are smuggled across the rocky, isolated parts of the boundaries using a variety of vehicles, including donkeys, and the journey often teeters at the edge of grave dangers, from not only the haphazardness of the route but also the border police in some of the areas. There have been instances when people taking the donkey route have been caught, tortured, and in worst-case scenarios, shot by the authorities.

People from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh seeking asylum in Europe, safer living conditions, or better economic possibilities typically choose this risky route. Women and girls subjected to forced marriage, forced labor, or sexual exploitation also travel this journey. These people are frequently promised by traffickers a better life in Europe. Still, the journey there is protracted and laden with enormous dangers, often resulting in abuse, exploitation, and even death.


The trip starts in Pakistan, where human traffickers frequently lure victims by making frivolous promises of legal employment or political refuge in Europe. After that, the people are transported to the Iranian border and smuggled into Iran. They are then transported to Turkey and smuggled into Greece or Bulgaria. From there, they are transported to various regions of Europe, frequently with the UK as the last stop. The journey can take from a few weeks to months.


The people who choose this path experience various forms of abuse, such as rape, torture, physical and mental abuse, and forced labor. They may be kept in detention facilities or other locations where they are denied access to food, drink, and medical treatment by the traffickers, who frequently use violence and threats to control and take advantage of the victims. Numerous people are also required to pay outrageous transportation costs, exposing them to giant debt.


Usually, getting from Pakistan to Europe entails many perilous and life-threatening steps, such as sailing across the Mediterranean Sea in overcrowded, unreliable boats and then walking across the desert. The migrants frequently endure more torture and exploitation along the road at the hands of traffickers, smugglers, and dishonest officials.




Once in Europe, refugees are frequently left alone and in danger of being detained and sent back home. They run the risk of being trafficked and further victimized. Many of them wind up being held in prisons or controlled by gangs.

The people are frequently confined in unhealthy, inhumane, and overcrowded conditions, increasing their risk of major health issues and even death. The trip is hazardous, and numerous travelers die from drowning, exposure, malnutrition, or other causes.


In conclusion, individuals and organizations that transport people through the borders of Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, and into Europe employ the "Donkey" route as a hazardous and illegal human trafficking method. The voyage is difficult and risky, frequently resulting in cruelty, exploitation, and even death. It is vital to remember that human trafficking is illegal, and those found guilty can be tried under laws, but more often than not, many people from South Asia have no other option but to try and somehow settle in the West.

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